Letters to the editor for Friday, July 29, 2011

As "tolerant and compassionate" as I generally am, the pastor from the gated, separatist Bruderhof Church Communities has my Sicilian up.

As "tolerant and compassionate" as I generally am, the pastor from the gated, separatist Bruderhof Church Communities has my Sicilian up.

I read his pious and pontificating letter attacking marriage equality with something akin to rage.

It is bad enough that religious, gated, tax-exempt communities like the Bruderhof exist on my dime because I pay confiscatory property taxes and they — children of a special tax-exempt god — do not.

However, when these singularly privileged and affluent communities preach their prejudices to those of us who live outside their gates but help support them with our taxes, then my tolerance evaporates.

I suggest the pastor stop reminding taxpayers that we would be a whole lot better off if $26 billion in tax-exempt "holier than thou" properties were back on the tax rolls.

Gioia Shebar

Gardiner

Reality rearing its ugly head puts the lie to the fantasy that giving more money to the rich will help us all.

A recent article in your newspaper headlines "Profits up; jobs remain scarce." Although many industries have "booming profits," most of which will go into the pockets of hugely compensated top management and major stockholders, unemployment has stagnated at 9.2 percent. Corporate profits have increased by 88 percent, wages and salaries by 1 percent.

These rich corporations have added 2.4 million jobs overseas and cut 2.9 million in the U.S. The workers left are working harder with lower pay because these corporations realize their workers have no other place to go.

Part of the myth states that the rich are rich because they are better and work harder than the rest of us. Tell that to the man who is working three jobs with no pension and no medical coverage to support his family. Tell that to the single mother battling cancer and trying to make enough to send her son through college.

I guess watching money flow into one's bank account from stock dividends and lifting the phone to call one's broker is terribly exhausting.

the Rev. Glenn Henricksen

Newburgh

The recent Orange Bureau Confidential indicates that I, Assemblywoman Calhoun, and Blooming Grove Supervisor "Fornario have been at odds ever since the supervisor gave his support to ... Roxanne Donnery." Not true.

We differ on following the state constitution and equity for all residents.

I actively supported Frank Fornario in his November 2009 election and, when I learned of the unlawful transfers of General Fund money by Town Comptroller Angela Doering, I immediately informed Fornario believing he would do the "common sense" thing and return this $1.3 million to all town taxpayers.

Bonding does not include any interest payable back to the town, as I have consistently said. But by state law, the required repayments by the sewer and water owners must be by issuance of long-term municipal bonds at minimal interest. Bonds can be for the same number of years (up to 25 years) the town implemented; however, the town will be in compliance with the state constitution that Supervisor Fornario swore to uphold and the $1.3 million will be available for road repair and other current townwide needs.

If he does the right thing, Fornario will have my support.

Nancy Calhoun

Member of Assembly

96th Assembly District

Washingtonville

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